In the huge Zhongdu Imperial City, the entire courtyard is like a grain of sand in the sea.
But the courtyard is also well-equipped, and it is large for people.
The three-bay main house was built next to the palace wall, with several green pines growing randomly and bending, trying to be higher than the palace wall.
There are miscellaneous rooms and kitchens on both sides. There is a clothes drying rack in the courtyard. Next to it is a small pavilion that is obviously made by a later addition. On a tea and dinner table made of dead wood, there is a bouquet of flowers in a jar.
.
The bouquet is the most common forest wildflower in the countryside at this time of year, but it is very delicate. It was obviously picked just today.
Under the maroon palace wall, there is a firewood pile against the wall. It seems to ensure that the firewood will not be exposed to wind and sun, and a rain shed is built on the top.
In the vacant space in the corner of the courtyard, there are several cages with three to five chickens and three to five ducks inside, pecking at the vegetable leaves and rice bran that have been put in.
The sound of chopping wood continued in the courtyard.
The few smokes emitted from the chimney gradually dyed the palace walls with color.
This was the first meeting after several years since Zhu Yunxi put the disabled man on the ship and saw him off at the East Shuiguan Pier in Yingtian City.
In Zhu Yunxi's sight, the disabled man was wearing a heather gray dress, which was the dress of ordinary people, but it was washed very clean, although there were occasional patches of sewing.
His hands were also a little rough, but he was quite skilled at chopping firewood, and he was familiar with the road. After a while, a large circle of firewood of the right size and size was scattered around his feet.
Zhu Yunxi's first shout did not attract the attention of the crippled man.
Sun Cheng, Tian Mai, Ma Hongqing, and Niu Dafu looked at the ax in the hand of the crippled man, which kept falling and banging, chopping firewood one by one.
On the handle of the knife at the waist.
Gao Yangzhi and Bai Yuxiu were a little surprised and touched.
The crippled man really regarded himself as an ordinary person and lived an ordinary life, doing everything by himself for food, clothing, housing and transportation.
The servant of Zhongdu Imperial City who was waiting on the side wanted to step forward and call out to the cripple, but Zhu Yunxi raised his hand to stop him.
He was not in a hurry, and gave way to the chimney that was smoking, and looked at the sky again, and found that it was almost meal time.
"Erlang, the meal is almost ready. You go pick the green onions and bring them in. Then wash the dishes and chopsticks, and then we can start..."
A woman who was not very beautiful, but was well-organized, emerged from the kitchen, stood behind the door, and shouted outside. However, in the end, she saw those people who suddenly appeared under the courtyard door, and her words changed.
He stopped, with a nervous and uneasy look in his eyes.
Bang.
A piece of firewood was split open by Zhu Yunwen and fell on the pile of firewood scattered beside the pile.
There was another bang, and the ax was cut into the pile by Zhu Yunwen, with the ax handle tilted upward.
"It's ready so quickly? Thank you for your hard work..."
Zhu Yunwen talked about hard work as usual, but when he looked at the woman, he was stunned.
The woman walked out of the kitchen, came to Zhu Yunwen's side, and hugged Zhu Yunwen's arm tightly with both hands.
Zhu Yunwen patted the woman's forehead and turned around slowly.
"Second brother, long time no see. How are you?"
Zhu Yunxi said it very politely, with a faint smile on his face, looking very relaxed.
The woman next to Zhu Yunwen became more and more nervous, and the uneasy look on her face became more and more obvious.
Zhu Yunwen's brows moved slightly, but his eyes did not change at all. He just remained silent, as if he had not expected the current scene and the sudden arrival of the people.
The servant of Zhongdu Imperial City on the side couldn't help but said: "This is His Highness the Grand Sun, you two should come over to greet me."
These people are all human beings. At this time, the emperor's grandson is calling Zhuan the useless person as his second brother. Their servants cannot call each other the useless person.
It seems to be because of the reminder from the chamberlain.
Zhu Yunwen held the hand of the woman next to him with his backhand, and gently patted the back of her hand to express comfort. Then he stepped forward lightly, still five or six steps away from Zhu Yunxi.
"Grass people..."
Zhu Yunxi's face was calm: "Second brother, you don't have to be like this."
Zhu Yunwen, who had just handed over his hand, actually stopped, put down his hands, and continued to hold the hand of the woman next to him.
Gao Yangzhi raised his eyebrows.
This cripple is actually quite interesting now.
Zhu Yunxi just smiled: "This time I returned to Fengyang with an order, firstly to pay homage to Duke Xin, and secondly to see how my second brother is doing now and whether there is anything that needs to be improved."
There was still no obvious expression on Zhu Yunwen's face. It seemed that he had now achieved the state of being pure in heart, having no fight with the world, and not getting involved in anything.
He just said softly: "Is that what your Majesty means?"
"That's what I mean." Zhu Yunxi nodded and continued: "I entered the city earlier and went to the Duke of Xinguo's Mansion with the officials from Zhongdu and Huaiyou to pay homage, which made people feel a little sad. After running around for days, I thought
I came to the imperial city to rest, and also came to meet my second brother."
The corner of Zhu Yunwen's mouth moved, he looked at the number of people around Zhu Yunxi, and said: "We haven't prepared much food at home. Since we have seen it, please ask His Highness to come back. The Imperial City of Zhongdu will arrange everything for Your Highness."
When he said this, the woman beside him immediately frowned and gently pulled him.
The woman was blessed and spoke nervously in a low voice: "It's dinner time now... Your Highness, please come in and wait a moment. The woman will prepare a few more dishes."
Zhu Yunwen's calm face finally changed. He frowned slightly and glanced at the woman with some dissatisfaction.
This guy is really different.
Looking at Zhu Yunwen's appearance and reaction, Zhu Yunxi couldn't help but sigh in his heart, and then said: "I think this is the second sister-in-law, so there is no need to trouble the second sister-in-law. The food must have been prepared in the imperial city, I will ask someone to pick it up.
Just send it here, treat it as a home-cooked meal, and eat it together."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! As soon as he finished speaking, the waiter who followed him immediately responded.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment. I will make arrangements right now."
With that said, the waiter had already left the courtyard.
Zhu Yunwen had helplessness written on his face. He frowned and glanced at Zhu Yunxi, wondering why this man was so thick-skinned now.
He was a little confused, and he had countless complicated feelings in his heart. He thought about it for a while but couldn't distinguish it.
Zhu Yunwen then turned to look at the woman: "Qiu Niang, I'm hungry."
Qiuniang looked left and right, but finally felt that her man's words were the most important, and nodded: "I'll start the meal right now!"
Zhu Yunwen said again: "Bring out the jar of wine at home as well."
Qiuniang didn't look back, she just walked towards the kitchen, and the voice came out.
"That's something I'll save for the holidays...forget it, I'll give you two sips today..."
The nagging voice of a woman can always make people feel at ease.
Zhu Yunxi watched all this silently and stepped forward lightly. He didn't care about Zhu Yunwen, he just walked into the yard and looked at the surrounding houses. Along the way, he came to the small pavilion with four pillars and a roof.
Down.
"Come over and sit down. Today is the day, but I still have to wait and eat."
Zhu Yunxi greeted Gao Yangzhi and the others.
Seeing him acting like a guest, Zhu Yunwen's face twitched a little and his eyes moved to the side, not wanting to look at someone who was already sitting in the pavilion.
Gao Yangzhi and others entered the pavilion, and after sitting down, they all lowered their heads.
Regarding the two brothers, if you are not careful, you will be in trouble.
"Erlang doesn't know how to get some tea."
Qiuniang walked out of the kitchen with a pot of water and several lamps, complaining about Zhu Yunwen's lack of etiquette.
The teapot and tea cups were placed on the table. Qiuniang forced out a smile and said, "The food will be ready soon. Erlang will accompany you all."
With that said, the woman quickly entered the kitchen again.
Zhu Yunxi looked at the teapot that was delivered. The tea leaves were just soaked in the pot. This was the favorite way of the villagers. If they were asked to brew tea, no one would be willing to do it. They just thought it was tedious and cumbersome.
He then looked sideways at Zhu Yunwen, who was sitting under the pillar in the pavilion: "Second brother is lucky to be able to marry such a virtuous second sister-in-law."
"His Royal Highness is here to meet the common people today. I think the court will know about it soon."
Finally, Zhu Yunwen spoke again, but his expression remained calm.
At this time, Zhu Yunxi was stunned for a moment, and even Gao Yangzhi and Bai Yuxiu couldn't help but look up at the cripple in front of them.
Zhu Yunxi looked at Zhu Yunqi in front of him and simply nodded: "The imperial court will know about it soon, and it will be published in Di Bao and Da Ming Wen Bao."
Zhu Yunwen smiled, said nothing, and just poured himself a cup of tea.
Zhu Yunxi also poured a glass and took two sips.
After all, the tea soup has the effect of quenching thirst.
He opened his mouth and said: "The imperial court is implementing a new policy, and in these years I have been in the imperial court. Although I have often covered up, the seriousness of my actions must inevitably be known.
Grandpa Huang doesn’t want brothers to fight each other in my family. But I think that the Zhu family of the Ming Dynasty will never be like the Li family of the former Tang Dynasty.”
Zhu Yunwen had a smile on his face, but it didn't look good: "So, you came here to do this show to appease those people's hearts.
When the report comes out, those who are uneasy will see that His Highness is a brother and sister. Everyone in the world will also know that His Highness is not a cold-blooded murderer."
"That's not true."
Zhu Yunxi spoke and refuted Zhu Yunwen's guess.
Gao Yangzhi, Bai Yuxiu and others beside them were already pounding in their hearts at this moment.
Can you hear this?
I really want to leave the palace.
Zhu Yunwen also looked at Zhu Yunxi with doubts, hoping that he could give a different explanation.
"The food is ready..."
This is what if Qiu Niang's joyful voice came from the kitchen.
Then, under the gaze of everyone, Qiuniang was seen walking out of the kitchen, shrouded in a cloud of white smoke, carrying the prepared food.
"A commoner woman is not good at craftsmanship, and her family is in a bit of a financial situation. They only have a few ordinary dishes. Fortunately, the palace eunuch takes care of them, and they have enough oil and water."
Qiuniang was talking and explaining, but her hands were busy, taking out the rice bowls and dishes that were put in the sieve, and placing them on the dining table.
Zhu Yunxi and others looked at the food laid out by Qiu Niang, and then couldn't help but look up at the woman who was walking to the kitchen to get wine again.
There are only five dishes in total on the table.
However, it is obvious that the last two were added temporarily.
In addition to the first three home-cooked side dishes, the last two were bacon that should not have been cut so thickly, and large chunks of scrambled eggs mixed with chopped green onions.
Zhu Yunxi looked at Zhu Yunwen silently: "Have you always been so poor?"
Before Zhu Yunwen could speak, Qiuniang had already come out again, holding a pot of wine and a bowl of fried beans.
Bang bang bang.
Several bowls were lined up, Qiuniang opened the jug and distributed the wine one by one.
In an instant, the aroma of wine overflowed in the courtyard.
Zhu Yunwen sat aside and stretched his head involuntarily, as if he wanted to confirm how much was left in the jug.
Qiuniang poured wine for several people and then stood up.
Zhu Yunxi immediately raised his head and said, "Second sister-in-law, please sit down. Don't be rigid."
Qiuniang glanced at Zhu Yunzhen and waved her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead: "The women of the country don't understand what you are saying, so my Erlang will just accompany you. The women of the country still have some unfinished work."
With that said, he was about to leave.
Zhu Yunwen immediately said: "Sit down, I have worked hard to make a meal, and I have to have a full stomach before talking about anything else."
Qiuniang was stunned for a moment, but still had that simple yet nervous smile on her face.
When Qiuniang sat down, Zhu Yunwen finally said: "Life is not a hardship, it is far better than the lives of the people outside the city."
Zhu Yunxi frowned and said: "The fields owned by Xinguo's second brother..."
Zhu Yunwen reached out and grabbed Qiuniang's uneasy hands hidden under the table, and looked sideways at Zhu Yunxi: "Because the people were living in more misery, the land was given to them for planting."
As he spoke, Zhu Yunwen took a sip of wine, ate two oily beans, and chewed bacon.
Zhu Yunxi frowned slightly: "Then how do you live?"
Qiuniang looked at the look in Zhu Yunzhen's eyes and said quickly: "The palace distributes food every year, and also sends some meat during the four o'clock and fifth festivals. There is some open space in the north of the imperial city. Erlang and the women asked people, can they do it?"
Plant some vegetables and that will be enough for us both to eat and drink."
"What about the daily expenses?" Zhu Yunxi couldn't help but ask.
Qiuniang wanted to continue explaining, but was stopped by Zhu Yunwen.
Zhu Yunwen looked at Zhu Yunxi: "Qiuniang can make sugar water, and I also learn to help others with carpentry work. I can always save some money every day."
The Imperial City of Zhongdu is really strict about imprisoning and guarding the disabled.
Zhu Yunxi sighed softly, took a sip of wine, and motioned to Gao Yangzhi and others to use their chopsticks.
At this time, the internal servants from Zhongdu Imperial City also brought people to deliver the meals that the palace had prepared for the emperor's grandson after receiving the news today.
Zhu Yunxi never expected that Zhu Yunwen would donate all those fields to the people, and he learned carpentry instead.
The royal nobles in the past can now do such things as ordinary people. Even Zhu Yunxi couldn't help but look at Zhu Yunzhen twice.
However, Zhu Yunwen always looked calm.
He just held Qiuniang's hand tightly, drank wine quietly, and ate vegetables in silence.